Lady Maroons escape Tams in UAAP hoops

University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Maroons survived the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws, 46-44, in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday.

With FEU trailing by one at the end of third quarter, Joannah Ouano opened the last frame with a three-pointer in the 7:45 minute mark to snatch the lead from UP, 33-35.

Lady Maroon Alexis Franco then retaliated with another trey to regain the lead with 7:18 minutes remaining in the match, 36-35.

UP then ignited a 4-0 run with Christine Aliermo draining a mid-range jumper and Ma. Antonia Wong sinking a layup midway through the period, 40-35.

Angelica Gerner broke the dry spell for FEU after scoring a basket inside the paint area off Ma. Therese Medina’s dish to keep UP at bay, 40-37. With Maria Isabel Balleser drawing the fifth foul for FEU, Wong split her free throws with 2:55 minutes left, 41-38.

Lady Tamaraw Princess Jumuad scored back-to-back baskets in the paint, 41-42. Pesquera responded with another basket in the paint in the 29.1 second minute mark to tie the ball game at 43-all.

Pesquera sank a buzzer-beating trey to clinch their second victory in the season, 46-44.

The FEU Tamaraws are now No.7 with a 3-10 win-loss card, while the UP Lady Maroons remained at the bottom with a 2-10 record.

Wong top scored UP with a double-double outing of 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Pesquera added another 12 markers. Jumuad owned the lone bright spot with 15 points.

“Finally, we were really hoping to win this game. Again, same as the first win in the first round, we had two weeks to prepare so same result. I’m happy for the players especially for the graduating. We have five players graduating and they deserve this win. They’ve been working hard for this,” said UP head coach Kenneth Raval.